Q&A

Q. HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU STARTED PLAYING?

A. We’ve got pictures of me playing around four years old. So, I’ll go with four.

Q. WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE ATHLETE (ANY SPORT) GROWING UP?

A. Michael Jordan was definitely my guy growing up (still is, actually). He embodied everything I wanted to be as an athlete.

Q. WHAT WAS YOUR PLAY HUGE MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER?

A. I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of some great teams that accomplished some incredible things in my career. If I had to identify one moment, I’d probably go with holding the National Championship trophy over my head on the field my senior year at Hopkins, completing an undefeated 16-0 season.

Q.WHAT SONG IS ALWAYS ON YOUR PREGAME PLAY LIST?

A. Sky is the Limit - Lil Wayne

Q. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?

A. Big Fish

Q. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A YOUNGER VERSION OF YOURSELF?

A. Wall ball! I was crazy athletic when I was younger, but my stick skills limited the things I was able to do on the field. So, I would tell a younger version of myself to put that basketball down and get on the wall!

Q. WHO IS ONE PERSON YOU (PAST OR PRESENT) WITH WHOM YOU’D LIKE TO HAVE DINNER?

A. My grandfather. He was a Major in the Army. I’m told we have similar personalities. I’d love the opportunity to spend some time with him, but unfortunately we never got to meet.

Q. WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE TEAMMATE YOU'VE EVER PLAYED WITH?

A. I’ve had some incredible teammates throughout the years, but, I’d have to go with my best friend, Benson Erwin. Benson and I were teammates at Friends School (lower, middle and high school), at Johns Hopkins, and professionally. Without him, my career wouldn’t have been the same. Having the benefit of my best friend around at all times to push me, call me out, challenge me, and have my back is something I never took for granted and am extremely thankful for.

Q. WHO IS OR WAS THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSON IN HELPING YOU ON YOUR WAY TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE?

A. I’d have to say my parents. They put me in the position to be successful in whatever it was I chose to do. They had me involved in every sport possible, after school programs, chorus, band, and anything else we could find. They’ve been my biggest supporters and critics from day 1, and I wouldn’t be in the position I am without them.

Q. DESCRIBE YOUR PLAYING STYLE IN THREE WORDS.

A. Shake. Lead. Compete.

Q. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE EXERCISE OR DRILL TO DO WHILE YOU’RE TRAINING AND WHY?

A. Band work is by far my favorite thing to do because I see it’s impact every time I play. As a player who does a lot of lateral movement and change of direction, it’s important to have strong hips and core. The bands keep my hips and core where they need to be to be productive on the field.

Q. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PRE-GAME MEAL?

A. If we’re talking night before, grilled chicken, rice, and pasta. If we’re talking literally game day, a few hours before the game, I always eat light. I don’t like playing on a full stomach.

Q. TELL US YOUR FAVORITE MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE.

A. Honestly, I LOVE quotes, I really do. But, I try not to get too tied up on one. Our lives as athletes and people change on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. There are millions of quotes out there that most athletes can identify with at some point in their career. Whether that’s for motivation, focus, toughness, leadership or what it means to be a part of team. For me, right now, the thing I’ve been really enjoying and drawing inspiration and motivation from is watching aspiring singers on these contest shows. Funny, I know. But, if you watch them sing in their “blind auditions” their entire career, what they been training for their entire lives comes down to that moment. That 30 - 60 seconds. The emotion and focus that goes into that is AWESOME to watch. As you get older, it’s important to continue to grow and find new inspiration. For me, watching those folks has been it.

Q. IF YOU COULD PLAY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD IT BE?

A. Homewood Field, baby. No better place in the world to play this game.